Category Archives: Williams

Get out of town: Explore Route 66

Posted on by

UPDATED 7/29 4:02 Thanks to Linda Messimer for the correction on Davenport Lake.

WILLIAMS— Williams has the distinction of being the last route 66 town bypassed by interstate 40. The mural on the wall by Circle K is a tribute to that. So while you are here you might want to stay an extra day in Williams to explore the Mother Road.

"On Arizona Highway 87, south of Chandler. Maricopa County, Arizona." by Dorothea Lange - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

“On Arizona Highway 87, south of Chandler. Maricopa County, Arizona.” by Dorothea Lange – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Route 66 gained the name of the Mother Road because of its significance to history. During the depression when tragedy struck the Great Plains—in what was called the great Dust Bowl—thousands took to Route 66 to travel west in search of a better life. This was depicted in the book and movie The Grapes of Wrath.

Route 66 was instrumental in winning World War I and World War II. Old-timers told me of the days when they would watch convoys of men and material moving down Route 66 to be shipped off to war. Most people don’t realize that Interstate 40, and all other freeways for that matter, were started by President Eisenhower who brought the idea back from the German autobahn.

Route 66 has seen a resurgence of interest since it was decomissioned. Williams and Flagstaff have a significant amount of Route 66 still available for travel. The stretch we will examine in this article is from Bellmont to Williams.

Of course it goes down to Ash Fork which is another significant Route 66 town, as well as a railroad center in the old west. Ash Fork history can be seen at the Route 66 Museum in Ash Fork on, well… Route 66.
Continue reading →

Celebration of life for Larry Norfolk

Posted on by

640px2015-07-28-26WILLIAMS — I will tell you that writing this article has become increasingly difficult. This is one of the times that I find it extremely difficult to separate the reporter from the subject.

Here’s the reporter stuff.

Friends and family gathered at the Senior Center in Williams in a standing-room only celebration of life for Larry Norfolk who passed away on July 9. The gathering was attended by the Williams City Mayor, John Moore, who is not always known for attending such gatherings. The crowd would probably have been larger except for the fact that many had jobs to go to.

Father Killian and Mayor John Moore join the Celebration of Life for Larry.

Father Killian and Mayor John Moore join the Celebration of Life for Larry.


Father Killian of St. Joesph the Worker Catholic Church—the Church also put in many hours arranging a mass and this Celebration of Life—gave a prayer of intercession that the Lord would guide the soul of our friend to the eternal City of Jerusalem.

Like many of us, the Mayor recounted that when asked where Larry was from, we did not know. When asked what Larry’s last name, we did not know. He commented that Larry was to Williams what Cher is to America. He only needed one name. Larry. Because everyone knew Larry. Yet, like many of us, while the news of Larry’s passing spread quickly, many of us did not connect it to our Larry.

The Mayor also spoke of a research paper on success that he did in college and had to say that Larry was “very successful.”

The rest of the crowd shared stories of humor and love that Larry tended to generate whenever he met people. He was a true ambassador for Williams as representatives from the Williams Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce pointed out.

I have to admit that my “reporter instinct” failed at this celebration. For some reason, perhaps because of the solemn nature of the occasion, I failed to get the name of Larry’s brother and niece who brought the memorabilia representing the life of Larry Norfolk. I apologize.
640px2015-07-28-23
Larry’s brother noted the toy soldiers which were lined up next to the Mickey Mouse items. He recounted how Larry had contracted polio as a child. He was bedridden for years while his family was an active family. Larry’s mother built a table so that the children could play. He was known as “Sarge” by the family. One time Larry apparently crossed his mother and she called him by his full name. Larry’s brother, being younger, looked at his mother and had to ask who that was.
800px2015-07-28-26
Overcoming the polio, he told many of the attendees how he remembered playing basketball with brothers.
Continue reading →

Williams City Council approves police body cams

Posted on by

640-city-hall-williamsWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council approved body cams for the police department at the meeting on July 23. They also approved an Inter-governmental agreement with Coconino County to provide waste services to county residents outside the city limits.

Springs Fire continues to meet management objectives

Posted on by

Smoke from Spring fire visible from Williams, but County 73 currently unaffected.

Smoke from Spring fire visible from Williams, but County 73 currently unaffected.

WILLIAMS — The 410-acre, lightning-caused Springs Fire continues to meet fire management objectives, allowing natural fire to play its part in the ecosystem, improving both wildlife habitat and overall forest health. Crews are monitoring growth and evaluating the need for actions to keep the fire at a low to moderate intensity. The potential for continued growth depends on a variety of factors to include weather conditions, potential fuel continuity and winds.

Fire managers performed blacklining operations, yesterday, on the south side of County Road 73, also known as the “South Road” between Forest Road 354 (near Kunde Knoll) to Forest Road 3117. County Road 73 will now serve as a boundary to stop or eliminate fire growth to the north. Today blacklining may be conducted along boundaries near private lands, as the Springs Fire moves closer to sections of private land within the fire area.

Light impacts of smoke can be expected in the Garland Prairie and Sherwood Forest areas as winds are forecasted out of the southwest. Smoke may be visible in the Bellemont and I-40 area, Dogtown Lake and White Horse Lake vicinity. Over the next several days the wildfire is expected to move up Summit Mountain, where smoke may be more visible from a greater distance.

The fire, which started July 2, is located 9 miles southeast of Williams, near Davenport Knoll, to the west of Summit Mountain. No closures exist at this time, however campers are advised to be cautious when selecting campsites along Forest Road 354 and Forest Road 110. Although smoke was visible from Williams today, camp sites along County 73 are unaffected.

Hidden Treasures opens in Williams

Posted on by

640-hidden-treasures-2015-07-25-03WILLIAMS — Hidden Treasures Antiques re-opened in its old haunt at 125 W. Railroad Avenue next to Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. Troy Troutman moved into the location a few years ago before he moved into the mall. He, and partner Susan Pederson, have moved their stock back into this location.

The stock contains old electronics, books, collectibles and much more. If you broke one of the dishes to grandma’s set, you might find a replacement here.
640-hidden-treasures-2015-07-25-13

How could we forget Bearizona?

Posted on by

Awesome walk thru lights at night low resWILLIAMS — How could we have forgotten the annual Bearizona Backwoods Bash? Some how this slipped our minds in our article on weekend events.

Bearizona is hosting a Backwoods Bash on July 25, from 12:00p.m – 8:00p.m. This event will be held in the Fort Bearizona walk-thru area of the park and is open to the public.

Live country music throughout the day will set the mood for the event. Kids can jump ‘til their hearts content, get a balloon animal, get some Bearizona ink among other things in the Kid Zone. Barbecue food will be available for purchase as well as local drink selections from Grand Canyon Winery, Historic Brewing Company & all your domestic favorites as well.

Bearizona is excited to welcome the Phoenix Herpetological Society who will be at the event from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with an alligator and an 18’ snake that attendees, who are adventurous enough, can get up-close, touch and get their picture taken with them. There will also be Bearizona’s walk thru animals on exhibit for all to see, as well as program animal encounters throughout the day.

Advance discount tickets for the Bearizona Backwoods Bash can be purchased by going to http://www.eventbrite.com and typing in Bearizona Backwoods Bash. $9 ages (4-12) and $20 (13 & Up). Tickets at the event will cost $11 ages (4-12) and $22 (13 & Up). Tickets will get you into both the drive-thru and walk-thru areas of the park, however the drive-thru closes at 7p.m. Bearizona pass holders get into the event for free.

Weekend begins tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — Begin the weekend in Williams by taking in the stars. The Coconino County Astronomical Society will host a stargazing party at the Glassburn Park area near the Zipline.

At 10 a.m. Saturday there will be a meeting at the Wild West Junction on the east end of Route 66 to discuss Community Protection Teams being set up by Oath Keepers. These teams are designed to provide services in a man-made or natural disaster. They are open to anyone; not just veterans, police and so-forth.

Saturday and Sunday is the annual Hamfest located at the rodeo barn at the Bob Dean Rodeo Grounds across the street from True Value hardware.

The forests have remained open this summer for camping and hiking. In recent years the forests were closed due to lack of moisture. So it is a great time to hike the trails and take in the lush green of the oaks and aspens and the beautiful wild flowers.

If you are bored this weekend it is not our fault.

Springs Fire expected to grow despite recent precipitation

Posted on by

Kaibab Forest Service photo.

Kaibab Forest Service photo.

WILLIAMS — The Springs Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has slowly continued to grow to 240 acres, despite recent precipitation. The wildfire, which was started by lightning July 2, is located 9 miles southeast of Williams near Davenport Knoll, just west of Summit Mountain.

Fire managers continue to pursue a number of objectives, first and foremost, both the safety of the general public and firefighters on the ground. At the same time, teams are allowing natural fire to play its role in the ecosystem, enhancing wildlife habitat and improving forest health.

Recent actions to manage the fire have included: removing small trees and brush away from infrastructure such as power lines and communication sites, protecting fire-sensitive archeological sites, and range fences. Burning around perimeter roads, also known as blacklining, to limit the fire’s growth in specific directions has already occurred on sections of Forest Road 354 and future operations could potentially include County Road 73, also known as Perkinsville Road, or the “South Road,” and Forest Road 110 depending on the movement of the fire.

About 15 fire personnel are currently assigned to the Springs Fire. Resources include a fuels crew, one engine, and one dozer, all from the Williams Ranger District. Depending on future movement of the fire, additional resources could be called in to assist.

While very little smoke has been visible over the last few weeks, drier conditions in the forecast are expected to potentially increase fire activity and smoke production. Fire managers expect the fire to remain at low to moderate intensity as it moves through the forest, which should keep smoke production and impacts at relatively low levels. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed towards the northeast, towards Sherwood Forest and Garland Prairie vicinities. At this time there are no closures associated with the Springs Fire.

ADEQ Awards $45,000 Brownfields Grant for Cleanup at Former Canyon Trading Post

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a $45,000 brownfields grant to Angel’s Corner, Inc. to remove asbestos and lead-based paint from the former Canyon Trading Post located at 5127 N. State Highway 64 in Coconino County. ADEQ’s Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) will oversee this work.

The 1.45-acre former Canyon Trading Post site consists of five combined structures constructed between 1889 and 1991. Unoccupied for years and in a state of disrepair, this brownfields grant-funded environmental cleanup work is the next of several steps necessary to prepare the property for redevelopment that will emphasize meeting the needs of the community.

Brownfields are properties with active redevelopment potentially hindered by known or perceived environmental contamination. Since it began in 2003, ADEQ’s brownfields grant program has funded more than 50 projects assisting local governments and nonprofits in completing environmental assessments and cleanup. Currently accepting applications, ADEQ’s brownfields grant program conducts projects through Arizona’s State Response Grant using funds provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Recovering blighted properties by administering non-competitive grants through ADEQ’s brownfields program is just one way we accomplish environmentally responsible economic growth in our state,” ADEQ Director Henry Darwin said. “Our staff works diligently with grant applicants to create customized solutions that maximize program benefits for each community’s unique needs.”

ADEQ’s VRP program allows property owners, prospective purchasers and other interested parties to work in cooperation with ADEQ to streamline investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites and obtain sign-off from all relevant ADEQ programs. ADEQ’s VRP successfully has completed more than 200 site closures since Arizona’s VRP laws came into effect in 2000.

Memorial services for Larry Norfolk

Posted on by

800-Rose-15-06-0504WILLIAMS — Memorial services for Larry Norfolk will be held at the Williams Senior Center on July 28 at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a potluck dish for the services.

Larry passed away on July 9 sometime during the night of natural causes. St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church is arranging the memorial service.